Saturday, 6 April 2013

No, I know it's been snowing again this week, it's still bitterly cold and the wind is rather icy BUT the new season of craft shows is well and truly underway, we've passed the official start of Spring, had Easter and I've booked a summer holiday so it really must be. All this awful weather has had a dampening effect on the spirits and that, couple with a household immersed in exam revision could only mean one solution for me - get out!

So today I took myself off to Canterbury. I must admit that before planning this journey I thought I should probably book an overnight stay, it did look rather a long way but, amazingly, it only took me an hour and a quarter (despite the inevitable roadworks on the M25) from Epsom. My destination was Kent College where Craft in Focus are staging one of their brilliant Contemporary Craft & Design Fairs. Being just outside the city it was easy to find with plenty of onsite parking and and a cafe for refreshments. This was the only one of the CIF shows I had not had the chance to visit before and I was not disappointed. The overall quality of these fairs is very high - no imported goods here - everyone is a designer/maker - and many exhibitors travel considerable distances to attend the shows.

Here are a few of the stands which particularly caught my eye.

Margo Selby

This stand has the most amazing woven fabric used both for clothing and home furnishings. The vibrant colours and patterns are riveting but it was the luxurious feel of the fabric which really drew me in. Their new studio is in nearby Whitstable where there is a launch party on 26th April.

Daniel Lacey

This is wood to be touched and stroked (I did!). I'd love to have some of these pieces in my house but the most covetable was the box in the bottom left hand corner - perfect for storing (or hiding) an extra stash of yarn or fabric or maybe both. It's top was gently curved so I could sit on it comfortably and no-one would know what was inside!

Colour to Lift the Soul

This photo really does not do justice to the vibrancy of the colours or the texture of the paintings by Alice Harfield. Lots of lovely beach huts as well as the floral art (readers will know I am slightly addicted to beach huts). Cards as well as original paintings available.

Gillian Paterson Studios
Gillian explores the beauty of colour and light in her paintings which are full of serenity. Something to soothe the soul.

So just to confirm that spring is most definitely here I bought a little present for me from the lovely Jo and Adam at Four Hands Etched Glass

As you can see it's the perfect tulip vase!

The show is still running tomorrow and I recommend you pay a visit. It's open from 10 till 5.

Apologies that this blog is short but sweet but my notebook is I fear slowly but surely dying. I'll post again soon when I have a more cooperative computer.

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About Me

I craft and sell hand stitched cards, gifts and decorations and sell them in my Etsy shop LavenderHeartUK and at selected fairs specialising in handmade items. Each one is individually handmade by me from new materials. Most of the yarn I use is hand dyed and buttons are handmade here in the UK or traded fairly. Custom orders are welcome.